George Chamberlain
Agency patch
Custody Officer

George Chamberlain

Indiana Department of Correction — Indianapolis, IN
Felonious
End of Watch May 11, 1874
The Vigil Panel 4 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Custody Officer George Chamberlain was shot and killed by inmates during an escape from the Indiana Prison South in Clarksville.

At about 4:00 pm, four inmates using knives and revolvers made their way to the gate at the main entrance saying they had been sent for to see the clerk. When Custody Officer Chamberlain opened the gate, the inmates pushed him down and rushed out. After Custody Officer Chamberlain recovered and gave chase, one of the inmates turned and shot him through the head. He succumbed to his wound about 20 minutes later. During their escape, two of the inmates were wounded, one mortally.

At about 4:00 pm, four inmates using knives and revolvers made their way to the gate at the main entrance saying they had been sent for to see the clerk. When Custody Officer Chamberlain opened the gate, the inmates pushed him down and rushed out. After Custody Officer Chamberlain recovered and gave chase, one of the inmates turned and shot him through the head. He succumbed to his wound about 20 minutes later.

During their escape, two of the inmates were wounded, one mortally.

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April 2, 2026
Last updated
July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

152 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Custody Officer Chamberlain served with the Indiana Department of Correction.
Thank you for your service to the Indianapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Indianapolis, IN
Platform Identity idc.marion.in.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 11, 1874
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun; Revolver
Offender Two escaped

Custody Officer George Chamberlain is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In IN, 311 of 503 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Indiana Department of Correction, 8 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.

Indiana Department of Correction
8
of 12 officers
66.7% Felonious
IN — Statewide
311
of 503 officers
61.8% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George Chamberlain's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How George Chamberlain Compares

Offender Outcome

Two escaped

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George Chamberlain is highlighted in May.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George Chamberlain was killed by handgun; revolver.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518